This mountaintop experience takes place during a time of prayer! God met me in Atlanta and it seemed to me that He was saying, Lets do this together.. Sinai with Joshua and Owen during our last days in Egypt, watching the sun rise over the vast chains of mountains in the desert there, and experience a diverse and international group of pilgrims praying their unique prayers at the top. The speaker concludes talking with an invitation to come to the altar and lay your burdens down at the feet of Jesus. A bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud. You are a stumbling block to me. Jesus recognized the voice of the Evil One again, this time speaking through Peter, and he told him to back off. Life is a continually ascending and descending in our religious experiences. The prophet Elijah had his share of mountaintop moments as well. A review of both the Old and New Testaments makes it clear as daywhen it comes to entering sacred space where you can meet God and/or Jesus face to face, theres no substitute for a mountaintop. This meditation allows us to digest the revelation so we can be more effective ambassadors for Christ. Heaven or Hell! The Rockies are a mountain chain / range in the western United States. Prophecy is not about a happening, an event, is about a person. Tip: Re-evaluate your mountaintop experience. Those moments at a worship concert or at the end of a sermon when the person holding the microphone makes a powerful speech with emotional music playing in the background. How do we come down the mountain and begin living normal life while holding onto what weve learned? That night on the mount of Transfiguration, the glory of God that was within shined-forth through his humanity. And eventually Peter would deny the very one who changed his life. It is part of your sacred story and it will be a tremendous source of comfort and strength to you when you have to face the dark valley. Mountains typically have steep slopes and are understood to be. I found myself late every afternoon sitting and simply meditating on the mountains, remembering what it was like to be on top of them and giving thanks for their ancient and imposing beauty. mountain noun [C] (VERY LARGE HILL) A2 a raised part of the earth's surface, much larger than a hill, the top of which might be covered in snow: The Matterhorn is one of the biggest mountains in Europe. And I find myself squirming when I read that Moses spent six days engulfed in the clouds on the top of Mt. Scripture gives us stories of literal mountain top experiences that color our expectations for what it means to encounter the divine - Abraham and Isaac climbing together in an act of extreme devotion to God and experiencing the mercy of God at its apex. Idioms: , the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering. So many of us begin to desire to leave God's mountaintop through lax engagement with God's Word because the experience feels so ordinary. I have ordered from them with great satisfaction for over 20 years. Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast & Goodbye to Jack Liskey! Theres only one place to meet with God; only one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus! I do not capitalize the name satan in my writing. After a certain amount of time the caterpillar comes out of the cocoon a butterfly. Peter, James, and John were transformed by the transfigured Christ. Sinai. Mountains are a symbol of steadfastness. The "deeper something" comes when one takes the divine voice as a motivation to trust in God during the hardships on the journey. Have you been born again? This unmediated view of the living God happened once, and only once in the Old Testament. It matters not that the mountain is composed of a lot of "stuff". Moses finally made it to the promise land! And as we immerse our lives in the majestic glory of the Word of God, we never need to. Jesus is the light of the world, and when we get to heaven he will be the light. In the presence of Jesus with the saints, talking about the Cross! The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. V:30-31-And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his decease, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. White in the Bible speaks of purity, absolute holiness. Why not Isaiah and Jeremiah? Horeb, Elijah stood in the mouth of a cave and heard God speak not in the wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but in the sounds of silence. At the very least, tell a fellow Christian about your decision and ask for guidance. We long for the mountaintop. glory cloud Ezekiel saw rise from between the cherubim and move to the threshold of the Temple because of Israels apostasy and then slowly rising to be seen no more from the Mount of Olives. Unfortunately, busy schedules can interfere with reading time. Because whatever happens, God has it all in control. But God also spoke, it was Gods voice. Sleeps up to 6 (one queen bed, one double bed, and two twin beds). Scripture gives us stories of literal mountain top experiences that color our expectations for what it means to encounter the divine - Abraham and Isaac climbing together in an act of extreme devotion to God and experiencing the mercy of God at its apex. Sinai. But Jesus came and touched [the disciples], saying, 'Rise, and have no fear' (Matt. Their dedication and devotion to Jesus brought special blessings into their lives. The glory cloud was the sign of Gods approval on the work that Jesus Christ had come to do; to die on the cross as a sacrifice for mans sin, and be raised from the dead the third day. Thats why he wanted to build dwellings or booths on top of Mt. It is always a good to say nothing when you dont know what to say! The aspect of a beautiful mountaintop experience has a whole new meaning when you realize that it does not matter what the mountain is made of. From this mountain-top experience, we learn the purpose of mountain-top experiences. Yet, if we keep going and if we keep climbing, the sum total of all those experiences will keep us moving upward in the right direction. Moses and Elijah were still alive and conscience though they had left the earth hundreds of years before this. Mountaintop. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountaintop. Maybe thats why to this day so many Christian retreat centers are on top of or around mountains. They knew a lot about Jesus; but on that mountaintop they. Climbing the mountain we now claim as Mt. The heap on which he stood consisted of all the experiences and obstacles that he had faced on his journey through life. Any place be it mountaintop, retreat center, or worship service, that can change you inside out should be considered dangerous. Though it had not been easy, it had all been well worth the journey to get to where he wanted to be in life. Of all the things the apostles witnessed, none was more spectacular and the vision of the glorified Christ on top on the Mount of Transfiguration. Those moments will hide themselves away, unsure as to their place in our routines. But, maybe you say, The church doesnt hear the voice like Peter did. As soon as Jesus and company reach the summit, he undergoes the mysterious process of transfiguration. In the Bible, mountains are often the places where God encounters His people, changes their lives, and sends them back down to the world with a prophetic message. In the Bible, mountains are often the places where God encounters His people, changes their lives, and sends them back down to the world with a prophetic message. Old truths and new stories of the Appalachian experience. V:36-And when the voice was passed, Jesus was found alone. A good book on a rainy day or with calming music is a wonderful way to take a break from the responsibilities of life and escape into another world. First off, there are a variety of flavors, from White Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice, Mint, Caramel and the list goes on. There closeness to Jesus is connected to Prayer! With this idea, though, one final observation must be made. 1:21). Instead of presenting a contrast of experiences, Peter presents a parallel. If we stifle what weve seen and heard and done during those mountain top experiences, then we wont know how to carry them with us into the valley. It is always dangerous to say something when you dont know what to say! Granted, Jesus did some of his best work on and around water, but he was a mountain man, too. V:33-let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. TheLordwill keepyour going out and your cominginfrom this time on and for evermore. We wont be able to implant every detail of the mountain top into the valley, but we cant waste those moments. The goal is "Living All Out For Jesus". It is time to drop the negative connotation attached to valleys and embrace their true purpose. As Christians, when we know what we have, we never want to leave the mountain of God. 2023. This reminds me of Church! No one deserves worship but Jesus! Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Upon seeing Jesus shining as the sun, Peter offers a surprisingly casual and perhaps clueless initial response. I walked down that mountain with a fresh, new fear for the Lord and new readiness to serve Him and only Him. Think of those wonderfully cheesy G.I. And then there was Jesus. The mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus Christ was certainly a transcendent visual experience for Peter, James, and John. (see Exodus 19) You come down from the mountaintop ready for a changed life. Father of 5 (David, Jenny, Elisha, Esther, Seth). But what, biblically speaking, is a mountaintop experience? Every Christian needs a place to be alone and talk with the Lord, when he described this mountain top experience, he called this high mountain; . Remember, Moses first met God at the burning bush on Mt. This passage in Isaiah carries a prophetic word for Mountaintop Worship Center. As he stood there looking out over his life and all of his accomplishments, he looked down and realized that the mountaintop was not at all what he thought it would be. But the valley experience is just as important to our Christian walk. when we meet with Jesus, and he reveals himself to us. I suddenly gained a perspective about life I had never had up until that moment. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. And if such an experience is to be sought after, how can the Christian be found on the mountaintop time and time again? In. In other words, the fulfillment of the Messiahs mission of salvation was nearer than the three disciplesknew. This past week I attended a two day conference in Atlanta for facilitators of a program called Listen to Your Life. 4. of or pertaining to mountains. What is your ultimate mountaintop experience? And dont forget that Jesus didnt make a move until he had spent his own forty days and night on top of a mountain, and thirty years plying his trade as a carpenter before that. Some people need to journal each moment while still on the mountain. Apart from Jesus they fail miserably in dealing with the demon. Jesus climbing to the top of a mountain not to receive, but to give a new interpretation and understanding of those laws shaping our communal life together as Christians through the Sermon on the Mount. Personally, I find waiting very hard to do. The voice of the father, encouraged Jesus in his preparation for the cross. Peter said it is good to be here. It could have been graduating from college and then stepping into a dream job. This past summer I worked every day in a place surrounded by mountains. 1:16). We experience gratitude most naturally and intensely when a giver (1) unpredictably and (2) at cost to him- or herself (3) transfers to our full possession (4) a benefit that pleases us. Jesus asked his disciples, who do you say that I am? And appropriately enough, a bright cloud overshadows them, and from the cloud a voice said, This is my Son, the Beloved; with whom I am well pleased; listen to him! As great as Moses and Elijah were, Jesus was and is greater still. I thought about all the ways God had provided up until that day and I felt like a fool. When you looked at Jesus he was a common, ordinary Jew-, YET Jesus Christ was much more than a common man when he walked on this earth. The glory cloud was a sign that Jesus was Gods dwelling place on earth, Jesus was the Mercy seat, he alone provides salvation and forgiveness! For this reason, friends, its only fair to tell you that mountaintops can be dangerous places. Or did we just respond with emotions that were not actually genuine for the long run? BRICKS IN THE VALLEY Text: Matthew 17:1 - 9 We all know from the laws of gravity that what goes up must also come down. First things first, don't be afraid to talk openly about mountain top experiences with your students. This will make any chill session that much more enjoyable. The cloud alone would have been enough to confirm Gods presence and blessings on Jesus. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. As Christians, we long for experiences of the transcendent that we believe will forever change our perspective on life. Yes it is, it is good to be in the presence of Jesus, it is good to be in good company, Moses, Elijah, James and John. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with (Jesus). But as Jesus and his inner circle stood on that mountain the Shekinah glory cloud overshadowed them. the last of the apostles to die, he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. But the Holy Spirit is not constrained to work through baptism only in the moment when it is administered. For after the disciples fall in fear, the Divine Voice speaks again on the mountain. And that moment made such an impression on Peter that years later he would refer to it in one of his New Testament letters as proof positive that that he didnt make up the gospel, but was an eyewitness to the very power and majesty of Jesus that changed his life forever. Built a tabernacle of PRAISE for Jesus alone in your heart! Jesus was the fulfillment of everything the Law and prophets pointed toward. Grab a blanket and a glass of hot chocolate, and do these five warm indoor activities for those rainy winter days. Things may not be the way you want them to be right now, but as long as you do the next right thing and move in a positive direction, you will continue to learn and grow. Now suddenly, Jesus invites Peter, James, and John for an evening hike up Mt. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Moses is a prime example of this. To hear the voice of God is to be led to the mountaintop. -They spoke about his decrease, which he would accomplish at Jerusalem, There on that high mountain with the representatives of the O.T. goats), the guys get to the true subject at hand. Jesus was always getting away to pray and draw strength from His father. mountaintop synonyms, mountaintop pronunciation, mountaintop translation, English dictionary definition of mountaintop. It also known valleys are quiet places of rest and peace. We recognize that many of us will not have the privilege to live our lives on the top of a mountain, whether literally or figuratively. Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? In that silence, as I sat on the mountaintop looking at the miles and miles of land stretching out before me, I had what some might call a mountaintop experience.. 17:4). Don't start to rationalize it, no matter how unbelievable it may sound to some. Click the link below to sign up for updates from Good Faith Media via our daily or weekly e-newsletters. Dedication to the Lord still brings special blessings into our lives! Jesus gives us his word that we might obey it, put it to practice in our lives, and live it out every day! Our moments with God shouldnt remain hidden in the past. Questions for further thought: Where and when have you been overwhelmed by a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for you on the cross? If youve ever been to a mountaintop, then you are familiar with the sensation of inexplicable awe. We need to pray with Neil Griffith, Builder of mountains, make me like a mountain, Firm let me stand against the winds of strife; Give me a soul that reaches up to heaven, But plant my feet in needs of human life. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Perhaps it was getting our drivers license at the age of sixteen. The term mountain top experience comes from those moments in the Bible when God revealed Himself to people on a mountain. The Mountaintop Experience. You have your hot chocolate made, playlist downloaded, movie set and books chosen. You are not THE mountain of the Lord, but you are A mountain of the Lord. Taborthis time with his three closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. If you keep striving and climbing you will eventually get on top of it and you will have a life that is helpful to you, profitable to your family and a good influence on your friends. Jesus transformationcalled a transfigurationwas even more dramatic. Copyright 2023 Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a mountain top experience. Mountain top removal means a coal mining operation that will remove an entire coal seam or seams running through the upper fraction of a mountain, ridge, or hill by removing all of the overburden and creating a level plateau with no highwalls remaining instead of restoring to approximate original contour, and is capable of supporting postmining Ironically, remaining on the summit for more than just a few minutes can be dangerous for climberseven life-threatening. Just as Christ shone before the disciples in radiant majesty (2 Pet. To hear the voice of God in His Word is to be led to the mountaintop of glory and grace. Joe cartoons from the 80's that said, " Knowing is half the battle! Suddenly your problems dont seem like problems anymore. He fulfilled what the. Peter immediately recommended the building of three shelters, presumably so that all six people could stay together on the mountain indefinitely. Soaking in the memory of what God revealed to us on the mountain will remind us of our purpose in the valley. When is the last time you had a mountain-top experience? Jesus is the only one to ever walk this earth who was absolutely sinless and holy! A true Spiritual mountain-top experience always revolves around JESUS! The greatest things that have happened in my life have all been. (see Exodus 19)We need the mountaintop experiences to experience the glory of God and receive revelation. Moses who represents those who die; and Elijah who represent those who are caught up and never die; will both see Jesus in his glory! These guys had seen Jesus on multiple occasions, do amazing things, but they had NEVER seen him like they are going to see him on that mountain. Moses and Elijah were known by Peter, James and John. Sinai. But, before we get into the prophetic message, lets look at the importance of the mountaintop experience.The mountaintop experience is something many Christians seek after. There, Jesus face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light (Matt. But as great as those experiences are, there not the greatest experiences of my life. As I rest in the valley and meditate on my mountaintop experiences, please have Your Holy Spirit reveal to me what I need to know.Here in the valley, I will rest and feed on the goodness of Your Word. He talked about the struggles and challenges he had faced both personally and professionally. But dedication to Jesus is the key to blessings. And if we keep moving upward an onward, we will eventually get to the peak or sum total of our own personal mountaintop experience! Our God is an awesome God, and He loves to come to us in ways He knows will change us. CAMIER PTY LTD HISTORY. Thats almost seven weeks of sitting around in the fog! Processing doesnt mean well understand each detail of our experience. Peter himself later recounts that the disciples were "eyewitnesses of his majesty (2 Pet. Like the testing of Abraham (Genesis 22:1-19), the receiving of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19-20:21) and, of course, the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13). Why Elijah and Moses? First, unlike other benefactors, God is unwaveringly benevolent. This was the glory of God that had been veiled by his human flesh shining through. God knows how our brains work and how our individual personalities respond. Even though winter is ending soon, it does not mean the cold is. about evangelism. Then in Matthew 17, Jesus is once again climbing a mountaintradition says its Mt. When Jesus entered this world, he came as a man, he was born in a stable, wore peasant clothing, and worked as a carpenter in a small town. At those times, we receive revelation and teaching from God. 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) and is alluded to in Johns Gospel (John 1:14) as well as in 2 Peter 1:16-18 underscores that Peter, James, and John never forgot their trip with Jesus up on the mountain. The problem .read more Thats when you see people all around you move forward as they listen to the call of their mountain top experience. They were catching a glimpse of the glory that God would reveal in Jesus Christ in the future. I love to see goals attained after hard work. while Peter is still talking; God interrupts Peters speech. There is a mountaintop experience all Christians seek. Climbing the mountains in Western North Carolina with my former youth from Indiana who made it a tradition to climb together early in the morning and then share affirmations on the mountain top at the end of a Montreat Youth Conference. Jesus was God incognito, dressed in human flesh. Like if you take one step forward you will fall endlessly and helplessly. But those were all just moments. Not sure of the resources you need for Bible study? Jesus does not fall to temptation but whips the Devil soundly on the mountain, and the Evil One slinks away, biding his time until he can harass Jesus again. I have separated the list into Free Resources, Basic Resources, and Advanced Resources. It was simply a huge heap of stuff (both good and bad) that he had climbed up in order to get to where he was. Both had famous departures from this earth. The next time you have a mountain top experience, whether its at church, on the mission field or in the comfort of your room for not all experiences are charged with emotion know those moments arent wasted. The believers present experience of hearing the Word of God parallels the experience of hearing the voice of God on the mountain. To experience Christ in the midst of the Great Smoky Mountains. Moses was reflecting the glory of God because he had been in the presence of God; that is something we all should do! This is where audiobooks are helpful. We stayed just outside the park, in full view of the snow-topped mountain range. But never forget that it is a rhythmic, ordinary encounter with the Majestic Voice of God speaking in His Word. Delivered to your inbox! 5. living, growing, or located in the mountains. It means when you worry, stress, or get angry, think about your struggles from a different perspective. As we walked onto a short trail through the snow and frozen ground, Owen remarked that it must be a strange job to drive to the top of a mountain and talk with thousands of visitors who pass through the center every day - like an environmental guru waiting at the peak for travelers to come seeking knowledge and insight.
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